Global commercial real estate investments in the first nine months of 2019 increased over the same period last year, driven by America and Asia-Pacific. Cross-border activity gained greater traction especially in Asia-Pacific, with investors paying closer attention to core markets including Singapore, Australia and China. In what feels like an ever-extending late stage of the asset cycle, amid pressures of trade wars and growing global economic uncertainty, it is essential to make strategic manoeuvres, from stretching the investment time horizon, to using lower leverage and employing a hawk-eye focus on local property market conditions. The key themes and sectors for Asia-Pacific real estate in 2020 and beyond, including demystifying investment in China, will be discussed.